Egg-container.



W. H. LEWIS.

EGG CONTAINER. APPLICATION FILED MAY 21,1914.

Patented May 11, 1915.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. 7'

WILLIAM H. LEWIS, OF ARRINGTON, VIRGINIA.

EGG-CONTAINER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1915.

Application filed May 21, 1914. Serial No. 840,035.

My invention relates to egg containers more particularly intended for use in shipping by parcel post.

Objects of the invention are to provide an egg container having cells adapted to conveniently receive separately wrapped eggs; and to provide cells in which the eggs will be fully protected against breakage by the ordinary shocks or pressure to which they are subjected in transit.

In carrying out the invention individual tubular cells are provided, adapted to be assembled in any desired number in a box or case, and each cell is expanded at the ends to a diameter larger than the intermediate body portion which receive and holds the wrapped egg. The relatively contracted body portions thus produced on the cells will be spaced from one another in the assembled cells and each snugly receivea wrapped egg, while the larger ends of adjacent cells will contact with one another and will receive the shocks and pressure during transit. The tubular cells are preferably of resilient sheet metal so that the larger'cells when the cells are disposed in the box, will resiliently sustain each other and cushion the shocks.

The invention will be particularly explained in the specific description following.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specifi cation, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both views.

Figure 1 is a plan View of an egg container embodying my invention, the cover being removed; and Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with the cover in place.

In forming a practical embodiment of the invention, as illustrated, a series of individual cells 10 are provided, to be employed in any given number, usually a dozen in a box or case. The ends of each cell are cylindrical and are expanded to a greater diameter than the body portion, which is also cylindrical. The elongated cylindrical body provides for annular contact with an egg at various heights in the cell; which is necessary in practice, since eggs vary as to length and therefore vary as to height of their lines of greatest diameter. Moreover, an elongated cylindrical body permits of an eggwith its wrapper being quickly placed in the cell without requiring any nice positioning of the egg to insure holding contact with the walls of the cell.

When a number of the cells are assembled in a suitable box 14, the ends 11 of adjacent cells will contact with each other, thereby providing spaces 13 between the relatively contracted intermediate body portions.

Any suitable cover 15 may be employed,

here shown as having a depending flange 16,

which is received within the side walls of the case 1 1. On the bottom 14; is a layer 17, preferably of soft material such as blotting paper or the like, and a similar lining 18 is provided on the cover 15, at the inside.

In connection with the assembled cells I preferably employ a surrounding wall between the outer cells and the side walls of the box or case 14:. This intermediate wall indicated by the numeral 19, may be formed in one or more pieces, and in any event it will be corrugated to present a conformation mating the opposed rounding surfaces of the cells, as will be understood from Fig. 1. The wall 19 serves as a holder for the assembled cells to retain the same in assembled relation regardless of the walls of the case 14.

The cells are made from resilient sheet metal, and in practice, the contracted intermediate portions are adapted to receive snugly a wrapped egg in accordance with the wishes of the postal authorities; also, the contact with the egg will be at the sides. The enlarged resilient ends, in addition to effectively cushioning shocks and thereby protecting the eggs, facilitates the entrance and removal of the eggs, the flaring sections 12 between the cylindrical ends and the cylindrical bodies of the eggs, further facilitating the entrance of the eggs, as will be readily appreciated.

Having thus described my invention, .1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A tubular egg-holding cell round in cross section, said cell having an elongated cylindrical body to hold an egg and end portions of greater diameter than the body portion, the terminal portions of the enlarged ends being cylindrical and joined to the relatively contracted cylindrical body of the cell by flaring portions.

2. An egg-holding cell presenting a central cylindrical body portion, cylindrical ends of less length than the cylindrical central portion and of larger diameter than said central portion, and flaring portions connecting the Said cylindrical central por- 10 tion With the cylindrical end portions.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM H. LEWIS.

Witnesses: V

HARRY H. JENK, OWEN W. JONES.

Copies of this trade-mark may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

